UPDATE: Lyubov Orlova moves further north of SeaRose platform

The Lyubov Orlova is pictured as it was being towed out of St. John's harbour last Thursday. — Photo by Keith Gosse/The Telegram

As of 4 p.m. today, the towed MV Lyubov Orlova was 100 kilometres north of Husky Energy’s SeaRose floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) platform, according to a spokeswoman for the operator.

An offshore supply vessel, the Atlantic Hawk, began towing the previously adrift vessel at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. As of 10 a.m. Thursday, it was 70 kilometres north of the FPSO platform.

Transport Canada said it is finalizing arrangements to determine where the former cruise ship will be sent.

The Orlova left St. John’s last Wednesday via a tugboat, but the tow line separated the following day. It was due to travel to a scrapyard in the Dominican Republic.

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(Earlier story)

A vessel belonging to an offshore operator is now towing the Lyubov Orlova in a northernly direction off the coast of Newfoundland.

According to a spokeswoman for Husky Energy, the immediate priority is to move the former cruise ship away from offshore facilities.

Adrift at sea since Thursday, the Orlova was at one point moving towards the Hibernia platform. CBC News reported the vessel was at one point 11 kilometres from the platform.

The Husky spokeswoman said the tow with the Atlantic Hawk was established at 6:15 p.m. Wednesday. As to where it will be towed, she said no final decision has been made.

A spokesman for the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board said discussions took place among local operators that were monitoring the situation with the Orlova.

A fixture in St. John’s harbour for over two years, the Lyubov Orlova left the port last Wednesday with assistance from an American tugboat, the Charlene Hunt. The tow line separated the following day.

Roy why in the hell would you want to charge st johns for an error caused by an american tug boat charge them instead, obviously you dont live here and if you do your just a complete meathead. Charge the russians for having their big piece of metal docked here to 2 years and causing an eye sore for everyone else

Bring it back to St. John,s and bill the council for the towing cost or the Hr Authority someone should be responsible for seeing that one derilect wasn,t being towed by another. It was taken from St. John.s and should be returned from where it was taken.